Seligman, Arizona: Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In

Juan Delgadillo passed away June 2, 2004, and will be missed dearly. He was my uncle, and even though I didn't see him too often lately, I love and miss him and his fun take on life. The Sno Cap will live on just as Juans' spirit and we all will laugh and tell our stories of our time with him, but a legend has gone on. God Bless you Juan.

We just took a road trip to Arizona. On the way back from northern AZ, we stopped at the Sno Cap Cafe. It didn't look like much at first but we gave it a try. It was on a Monday and pretty quiet. However, once we walked in and Mr. Delgadillo started his crazy jokes, our four year old went wild. It was almost the best part of our trip for him. He loved Mr. Delgado's antics and for days after was talking about them and would get into hysterical laughing in remembrance. When he asked for an ice-cream cone, Mr. Delgadillo gave him a cup of ice with "cream" on it. When my son said he asked for a cone, he stuck a cone on top. When we asked for a whole cone, he showed up with a cone with a hole in it. Our son couldn't stop laughing. This is definitely a chapter in his scrapbook to remember days gone by on Route 66 and a very friendly and funny gentleman who made a road trip very fun.

The Snow Cap is still alive and kicking. Juan was present as always. We never miss an opportunity to stop by when we travel. We crave those Cheeseburgers with Cheese and those malts! This time we got a special treat -- little happy face french fries with our order as well as the bail of straw, slightly used napkins, and the usual squirt from the mustard container. After one of the sons took our order, Juan came out to greet us and politely asked us if we were ready to order. I ( Vikki) explained that we had just ordered from one of his sons. He looked at me totally straight faced and said "M'am, I'm the only one here." Well I had to think about it for a minute because we had just driven a straight 25 hours and I was just loopy enough to believe him. Then we all busted out laughing! What a great guy!

This would be a typical mom and pop hamburger stand if it weren'r for one Juan Delgadillo who is a real practical joker. The door to the store has several doorknobs on either side of it. You are greeted with a sign in the window that says, "Sorry, We're Open." The menu includes "Hamburgers without Ham," "Cheeseburgers with Cheese," and the ever popular "Dead Chicken." Snow Cap is across from the Route 66 Roadkill Cafe and a Chinese fast food place which also sells hamburgers (the sign says, "If you really want hamburgers, go to Snow Cap!"

The Sno Cap Restaurant is located on Route 66 business loop in Seligman, AZ . Owned and operated by Juan Degadillo this mecca of kisch still remains as one of the great Route 66 attractions.

Juan, who is pushing 90 yrs old, and his family have been a staple in the town since -- as the sign reads -- 1916. The Sno Cap has the best hamburgers and Chocolate Malts in the country. The menu contains a variety of food groups like Cheeseburgers with Cheese, Dead Chicken Sandwiches, fries or rings and incredible hot dogs . But the food isn't the only attraction.

The Sno Cap offers outhouses complete with TVs , a garden decorated with deranged looking Santa Clauses, toilet planters, Burma Shave signs and plastic fruit that hangs from the trees.

Juan will gladly take a picture with you in his Old classic automobile parked in front of the restaurant .He will also offer you ketchup out of a plastic bottle and when you say "Sure I'll have Ketchup," he squirts the bottle at you as string comes flying out resembling ketchup. He will also offer you slightly used napkins, a straw for your coke (which is a balled up pile of real straw).

This place is a real gasser and a great place to eat . The malts are the best I have ever had and the Cheese burgers with Cheese are fantastic. Look for the Sno Cap located almost at the end of the business loop . You can't miss it and its sign that beckons DEAD CHICKEN SANDWICHES and old Christmas lights strewed about.

The family are wonderful people some of the nicest I have ever met on the road and again the food is the absolute best !